Myanmar: Arms Trade

(asked on 10th January 2022) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the massacre in Kayah State on 24 December, what plans they have to join the EU in backing an international arms embargo against Myanmar.


Answered by
 Portrait
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 24th January 2022

The UK is a longstanding supporter of an arms embargo on Myanmar, and we have had a comprehensive embargo in place for many years. The UK helped secure an EU arms embargo on Myanmar following the 2017 Rohingya crisis. Since we left the EU, we have transitioned this into domestic law.

Following the February 2021 coup, we have intensified efforts to stem the international flow of weapons reaching Myanmar, and have encouraged other countries to join this action. On 5 May, the UK secured a G7 Foreign and Development Ministers' Meeting Communiqué that committed G7 members to continue to prevent the supply of arms and technical assistance to the military. On 18 June, the UK worked to secure an unprecedented UN General Assembly Resolution, signed up to by 119 countries, which committed to preventing the flow of arms to Myanmar. On 26 November, in coordination with partners, we released a further statement which committed to preventing the flow of arms, dual-use goods and technical assistance reaching the military. We also have extensive targeted sanctions on the military and its business interests, including on multiple institutions responsible for procuring weapons from abroad. The UK will continue to work with partners, including the EU, to exert pressure on those responsible.

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